DOCTOR'S OASIS

Archdekin Park is named in memory of Dr. Fennell Fleury Archdekin, a General Practitioner who loved and served in Muskoka as a family doctor for 17 years. The small public park doesn't receive the same attention as its neighbour, the larger and more popular Hanna Park, but instead provides an oasis for those seeking solitude or healing.

SQUALLID WEATHER

With the first of several snowfalls already underway, snowplows are on duty and drivers on edge owing to the high winds causing sudden squalls with whiteout and white knuckle conditions. The long range forecast is calling for snow every day for the next week and counting today's snow, anticipating up to a maximum of 50 cm accumulation.

POLAR BEAR DIP

A participant waits his turn before being given permission to dive into the water at the Polar Bear Dip, the final event of Winterfest. When it was finished I overheard a bystander comment, "That's it? Where's the Polar Bear guy?" Referring to the costume I rented and my entrance at the end, it made me smile and last year worthwhile.
[Check out the February 8 post last year for a video my son filmed.]

SNOW SNAKES

With a deft toss a boy sends a snow snake along a groomed trail, the record being 107 feet. Originally a First Nations game, modern snow snakes are modified broomsticks that have been decorated and then waxed for better performance. Looking on is Doug Smith, curator of the Muskoka Lakes Museum, who hosts the event during Winterfest.

UP YER KILT

We'll never know what everyone wore underneath their kilts but they found out that running in snowshoes sends snow up yer kilt. Several souls braved the -20°C temperature to compete in the snowshoe in kilts race, part of the Robbie Burns Day celebrations at The Rosseau. Racers had to roast a marshmallow enroute as part of the challenge.